ANZ swaps to cheaper aircraft on LA route

28 May 2008

Air New Zealand will replace their Boeing 747 operations on their London-Los Angeles-Auckland route (NZ1 and NZ2) with the more fuel efficient Boeing 777 aircraft.Last week, fuel hit a new high of USD$173 per barrel; 60% higher than the price on 1 January this year and more than double the price in mid 2007. Despite continuing good performance on the route, rising fuel prices combined with softening economic conditions are behind the move.

Scott Carr, General Manager Air New Zealand, UK and Europe, says:

“The B777 aircraft offer the same top level flying experience with the full range of product as available on the existing B747s. As we fly the Los Angeles route on a daily basis, we can estimate that transferring to the more fuel efficient B777 will help save the airline nearly GBP£40m in reduced costs. Over the last five years Air New Zealand has worked hard to be ready to respond this type of situation and we enter it a strong position.”

At the same time NZ5 and NZ6 between Los Angeles and Auckland will change from a B777 route to a B747 operation.

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Air New Zealand will continue to fly B747s on the London-Hong Kong-Auckland route.